Episode # 452, Eight Uses For Hydrogen Peroxide
Eight Uses For Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can be a valuable item in a prepper's toolkit due to its versatility.
When using hydrogen peroxide for prepper purposes, it's important to ensure that you have the appropriate concentration (typically 3% food-grade) and handle it safely according to the instructions on the label. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide should be stored securely in a cool, dark place away from children and pets.
Eight Uses For Hydrogen Peroxide:
Water Purification: Hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect water in an emergency situation. Add a few drops of food-grade hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration) to untreated water to kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
First Aid, Wound Disinfect ion: In a survival scenario where access to medical supplies is limited, hydrogen peroxide can serve as an antiseptic for minor scrapes and cuts, helping to prevent infection and promote healing.
Oral Hygiene: Diluted hydrogen peroxide can serve as an emergency mouthwash to help kill bacteria and prevent oral infections when traditional oral hygiene products are not available.
Medical Equipment Sterilization: In situations where medical equipment needs to be sterilized, hydrogen peroxide can be used as a disinfectant for surfaces and tools.
Hygiene and Sanitation: Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a general-purpose cleaning agent to disinfect surfaces, utensils, and other items to maintain hygiene and sanitation standards when other cleaners may not be available.
Food Decontamination: Diluted hydrogen peroxide can be used to wash fruits and vegetables to remove bacteria, mold, and pesticides, thereby extending their shelf life in a survival situation.
Foot Care: In situations where proper foot care is essential, hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect and treat minor foot issues, such as bacterial and fungal infections
Mold and Mildew Control: Hydrogen peroxide can be used to combat mold and mildew growth in prepper shelters or storage areas by spraying it on affected surfaces and allowing it to dry.
Purifying unfiltered water with hydrogen peroxide
Purifying unfiltered water with hydrogen peroxide is a simple process, but it's important to use the correct concentration of hydrogen peroxide and follow safety guidelines.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
Select the Right Concentration: Use food-grade hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3%. This concentration is safe for water purification and is commonly available in stores.
Calculate the Amount Needed: The recommended dosage of hydrogen peroxide for water purification is approximately 1 tsp per gallon of water. For you on the metric system it about 4 mL
Calculate the amount needed based on the volume of water you intend to purify.
Mix Hydrogen Peroxide: Measure the appropriate amount of hydrogen peroxide using a syringe or measuring spoon. Add it to the unfiltered water that needs to be purified.
Stir or Shake: Stir or shake the water and hydrogen peroxide mixture to ensure that the hydrogen peroxide is evenly distributed throughout the water.
Let it Sit: Allow the mixture to sit for about 30 minutes to allow the hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the water. During this time, the hydrogen peroxide will break down into water and oxygen, leaving behind clean and purified water.
Check for Bubbles: After the 30-minute waiting period, check for the presence of bubbles in the water. Bubbles indicate that hydrogen peroxide is still present and actively working to disinfect the water.
If bubbles are still present, wait for a little longer until they dissipate completely. This indicates that the hydrogen peroxide has fully decomposed, and the water is safe to drink.
Use the Purified Water: Once the hydrogen peroxide has fully decomposed, the water is considered safe to drink. You can use it for drinking, cooking, or any other purposes requiring clean water.
Using hydrogen peroxide in wound care
Wound disinfection with hydrogen peroxide can be considered controversial in some contexts. While hydrogen peroxide can be effective in certain situations for disinfecting minor wounds, it's essential to use it cautiously.
The Controversial Points:
Effectiveness: Some studies suggest that hydrogen peroxide may not be the most effective antiseptic for wound cleaning.
Tissue Damage: Hydrogen peroxide can be cytotoxic (toxic to cells) at higher concentrations or if used for prolonged periods
Delayed Healing: Some evidence suggests that hydrogen peroxide may inhibit wound healing by disrupting the normal wound healing process
First Aid, Wound Disinfections
Clean the Wound: Gently clean the wound with mild soap and warm water. Use a clean cloth or sterile gauze pad to remove any dirt, debris, or visible contaminants from the wound. Avoid scrubbing the wound too vigorously, as this can cause further damage.
Apply Hydrogen Peroxide: Pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide directly onto the wound. The effervescence (bubbling) you see indicates that the hydrogen peroxide is working to clean the wound by killing bacteria and removing debris. Allow the hydrogen peroxide to bubble for a few minutes.
Rinse the Wound: After the bubbling subsides, rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining hydrogen peroxide and debris. You can use a gentle stream of water from a faucet or a clean bottle of water to irrigate the wound.
Dry the Wound: Gently pat the wound dry with a clean cloth or sterile gauze pad. Avoid rubbing the wound, as this can irritate the skin and delay healing.
Apply Antiseptic Ointment (Optional): If desired, apply a thin layer of antiseptic ointment to the wound to help prevent infection and promote healing. Be sure to use a clean applicator or wash your hands thoroughly before applying the ointment.
Cover the Wound (Optional): Depending on the size and location of the wound, you may choose to cover it with a sterile gauze pad or adhesive bandage to protect it from further contamination. Change the dressing as needed to keep the wound clean and dry.
Monitor for Infection: Keep an eye on the wound for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage. If you notice any signs of infection or if the wound does not heal properly, seek medical attention.
Remember, hydrogen peroxide is only suitable for disinfecting minor wounds and should not be used on deep or puncture wounds, burns, or serious injuries. Always seek medical attention for severe wounds or if you have any concerns about wound care.
Communications corner segment:
These are objections we have heard to getting an amateur radio license:
“You don’t need a license in an emergency"
True, the FCC regulations say that anyone can transmit on any frequency in the event of a life or death emergency.
That doesn’t include flat tires, breakdowns, and such
Must be a life or death emergency
There won’t be any license enforcement after SHTF.
Likely true in a total collapse,
The odds are that the FCC will not be looking for unlicensed radio operators, but will be involved in other efforts, if they even still exist.
False in a SHTF event such as a major natural disaster,
There could still be enforcement of the regulations in non-life threatening situations.
A HAM radio license puts you in a government database along with your address.
True, but so does having a drivers license, buying a vehicle tag, having a social security number, filing your taxes, filing a homestead exemption on your house
"I’ll just keep it in case I need it after SHTF"
It’s doubtful that many people will be able to make it operate after SHTF.
HAM radio is not a “turn it on and pick a channel,” radio system.
HAM radio uses frequencies rather than channels.
For local communications:
Individual frequencies must be plugged into the radio, and repeater frequencies must be programmed with proper offsets and PL tones in order to work.
These frequencies need to be preprogrammed in order to use the radio in short order.
It’s not very intuitive, at least until you learn what you are doing.
For Long Distance Communications
Long distance communications requires either:
Internet assisted systems, Echolink, DMR (Digital Mobile Radio), IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project),
D-STAR (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio)
HF (High Frequency) bands
Bounces off the ionosphere under the right conditions
Different bands are optimal at different times
These fqs are not preprogrammed
Have to fine tune for good contact
The only way to become proficient with HAM radio is to practice, and the only way to legally practice is to get a license.
If you find value in the podcast, would you be willing to give back a little?
You can do that one of two ways (both are greatly appreciated).
(1) Buy Us A Cup of Coffee ---> CLICK HERE
OR
(2) By starting your Amazon shopping from our website? ---> CLICK HERE
(We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases)
Contact us:
Practical Prepping
Website: www.practicalprepping.info
Email at info@practicalprepping.info
Our Sponsors:
Magic Mind
For your productivity
https://magicmind.com/practicalprepping
Discount code: "prepper"
Contingency Medical
Resource for antibiotics
https://contingencymedical.com/practical
Discount code: "practical"
ProLine Digital Group
https://www.prolinedigitalgroup.com
Email: info@prolinedigitalgroup.com
AURA - Your total online protection against identity theft , and for VPN.
Jim Curtis Knives
https://www.facebook.com/Jimcurtisknives
Email Jim: j.curtis7mm@yahoo.com
Check out our sponsors. They are all linked from our website. Let them know you heard about them on Practical Prepping Podcast. If you can do business with them, please do. These are all people we do business with, and we trust them. Otherwise, we would not be recommending them to our listeners.
Join us on Monday and Friday for new episodes.